Improving Lives Strengthening Healthcare
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IMPROVING LIVES STRENGTHENING HEALTHCARE YEAR 4 SUN PATH CONSORTIUM PROGRESS REPORT October 1, 2014 through September 30, 2018 “I have been preparing myself for a career in healthcare by learning the necessary skills to do my job, while strengthening my reading, writing and math skills with the support of the I-BEST instructor. Being a part of SUN PATH offered me so many benefits. This included creating effective resumes, guidance in using the New Mexico Workforce Connection online system, information on job fairs, and career readiness workshops. I look forward to pursuing my career following graduation.” — Vernon Francisco, Health Information Technology student, UNM-Gallup Branch Campus U.S. Department of Labor’s Trade Adjustment Assistance Community College and Career Training (TAACCCT) Skill Up Network: Pathways Acceleration in Technology & YEAR 3 SUN PATH Consortium Progress Report Healthcare (SUN PATH) 1 Dear Colleagues and Community Leaders, The New Mexico SUN PATH Consortium has been working for the past four years to address a critical need in New Mexico. The healthcare industry is the fastest growing sector of New Mexico’s economy; since 2010, two-thirds of new jobs added in our state have been in the healthcare industry and related fields, and this trend is expected to continue over the next decade. Meanwhile, communities across New Mexico struggle with poverty, resulting from low-levels of education and a lack of trained professionals. New Mexico community colleges are uniquely positioned to address this skills gap and in the past four years, the SUN PATH consortium has made notable progress toward this end. This report highlights the impact SUN PATH has had and systemic changes that have shown positive results. The ultimate goal of SUN PATH has been to strengthen the talent pipeline for the healthcare sector resulting in increased attainment of degrees, certifications, and industry-recognized credentials that lead to improved employment outcomes and average earnings for New Kristen Krell, Mexicans. In the past four years, SUN PATH has exceeded almost all of the identified SUN PATH Director performance targets proposed in the grant. In total, SUN PATH served 4,266 students with 2,792 program completers and 3,125 credentials earned. Of those students, 604 unemployed students became employed after program completion, and 2,022 who were already employed, received a wage increase post-enrollment. In addition, this past year SUN PATH was selected as one of nine programs in the United States, funded by the US Department of Labor’s TAACCCT initiative, to be showcased for ‘exemplary practices in workforce development’. The SUN PATH ‘Career Coaching Innovation’ developed in partnership with the New Mexico Department of Workforce Solutions, was highlighted as a national best practice and was included in the final Skills Commons Exemplary Practices Field Guide that is being distributed to education and workforce practitioners across the country. The TAACCCT funding for SUN PATH ends September 2018. In an effort to continue to strengthen the alignment between higher education and workforce systems, and to more effectively meet the workforce needs in the state, it is crucial for New Mexico to learn from the successes and challenges of the Statewide SUN PATH Consortium. Reports, data dashboards, Partner Community Colleges and training materials can be found on the SUN PATH website at: www.sfcc.edu/offices/sun- Santa Fe Community College: Lead path-consortium. Institution It has been a true honor to work with the SUN PATH Consortium over the past four years. Central New Mexico Community College, Again, thank you to everyone that has devoted their time, expertise, and passion to the success Albuquerque of SUN PATH and the students and families that have been impacted. Eastern New Mexico University, Roswell Eastern New Mexico University, Ruidoso Mesalands Community College, Tucumcari Sincerely, New Mexico State University, Alamogordo San Juan Community College, Farmington University of New Mexico, Gallup University of New Mexico, Los Alamos SUN PATH Director University of New Mexico, Valencia University of New Mexico, Taos SUN PATH is a $15,000,000 project funded by the United States Department of Labor through the Trade Adjustment Assistance Community College and Career Training Initiative (TAACCCT). SUN PATH GOALS Healthcare career pathways that align with industry needs Increased attainment of degrees, certifications and industry-recognized credentials Strategic alignment between education and workforce systems Improved employment outcomes, retention and average earnings Student Spotlight Veronica Chavez represents what the SUN PATH program is all about. Students who may not have had the means nor the desire to attend college are given the opportunity to achieve both their educational and career goals. Veronica initially came to us with a dream to reach her lifelong goal of becoming a healthcare provider. This goal is not easily obtainable for anyone, but it was going to be a tough mountain for her to climb after being out of school for 17 years. While raising a family, she decided to come to UNM-Valencia to pursue her education. She first had to work on her high school equivalency. Without a high school diploma, she had to jump through extra hoops to qualify for federal financial aid. She had to take the college placement test to determine if she qualified for Ability to Benefit. She qualified! She hit the ground running and enrolled in both adult education and allied health classes at the same time. Veronica’s enthusiasm and determination followed her into the classroom and she excelled in her academic work. Through I-BEST, she was provided extra instruction to improve her basic reading, writing and math skills while learning patient care skills in the Personal Care Attendant and Nursing Assistant courses. In a short eleven months, she obtained her high school equivalency as well as certificates in both Personal Care Attendant and Nursing Assistant. The basic skills instruction will serve her well as she in now enrolled in college-level classes and is on her way to reach her goal of becoming a Registered Nurse. Veronica Chavez pictured with Michael Carriere, I-BEST instructor, UNM With the assistance of the Job Developer Career Coach on resumé development and Valencia. interviewing techniques, she is now working as a Certified Nursing Assistant with Westway Staffing. This new job has provided her with a substantial wage increase and experience as she continues along her career pathway leading towards a career in healthcare. Employer Spotlight “We have employed several students that have graduated, or are currently enrolled in the SUN PATH program at CNM. We are pleased with the candidates that have derived through our relationship with the CNM staff and especially the JDCC, who has gone above and beyond to assist me with finding quality candidates in a moment’s notice. Always Best Care is a fast-growing company and we are continuously looking for qualified candidates. With the SUN PATH program and the wonderful staff at CNM, we work together to employ students while they are attending school, and offer the incentive of a substantial pay increase once they have completed their education.” — David A Velasco, Client Services Director, Always Best Care of Albuquerque/Rio Rancho YEAR 3 SUN PATH Consortium Progress Report 1 SUN PATH Addresses Critical Need The Bureau of Business & Economic Research (BBER) at the University of New Mexico conducted an analysis of the US Department of Labor supported SUN PATH’s Return on Investment for the State. SUN PATH is helping to meet a critical need in New Mexico. The healthcare industry is the fastest growing sector of New Mexico’s economy. Since 2010, two-thirds of new jobs added in NM have been in the healthcare industry and related fields. Healthcare will continue to be the fastest growing sector of NM’s economy accounting for 40% of new jobs in New Mexico through 2022. Educational Requirements: The majority of healthcare related jobs require an Associate’s Degree or less. 2 SUN PATH Economic Impact in New Mexico and Return on Investment 1. More than 1,600 SUN PATH participants are expected SUN PATH PROGRAM PARTICIPANTS to be employed in the healthcare industry by end of 2018 2. Earnings of SUN PATH AVERAGE ANNUAL EARNING OF SUN PATH PARTICIPANTS participants that earn a certificate or degree are significantly above other high school graduates 3. Workforce Development and Higher Earnings in Healthcare Industry • Investment in SUNPATH programs supports workforce development and resulted in higher earnings across the Healthcare Industry • An estimated increase in future wage earnings for SUN PATH certificate and degree completers who are employed in New Mexico’s healthcare sector (after high school graduation) from 2017 through 2028 is $132 million (average increase of $7,985/yr) • The Return on Investment: every $1 invested in SUNPATH, $2.22 was returned in higher wage earnings in New Mexico Total direct and indirect cost of program participation is $41 million. Costs include: U.S. Department of Labor’s TAACCCT grant – $15 million, participants tuition and opportunity cost – $20 million, leveraged institutional funds for faculty and staff salaries cover – $5.8 million. 4. Federal Investment Results in Job Creation in Higher Education and Supporting Industries • $15 million federal investment in New Mexico produced an impact of $27.5 million in New Mexico’s economy • Directly created 68 new jobs – college faculty and staff • These jobs pay a total of $12 million in wage and salaries in New Mexico YEAR 3 SUN PATH Consortium Progress Report 3 SUN PATH Budget $14,999,863 for 4 years (October 1, 2014 – September 30, 2018) How have we used our resources to develop and strengthen healthcare career pathways in New Mexico? Budget by SUN PATH Partner College Funds were distributed to 11 partner colleges.